“If this is what he wants, let’s give him his space. This is what he needs.” – Evil Uno on Hangman Page
Show me the place where Jon Moxley, Eddie Kingston and Dary Allin team together in a 6-man tag. Where Ever-Rise lands on their feet after a WWE release and along with a top indie prospect come in to hilariously challenge all three of them. Where despite being squashed, they get a moment with Sting and setup a match next week. That’s what you call working.
The World
In tonight’s main event, new guy Malakai Black kicked Cody Rhodes‘ ass. Beat him in 5 minutes with a 3-count in the middle of the ring after kicking him in the head, then hit him with a crutch and stole his boot after. It seems like Cody is taking an actual break, which given the amount of potential top acts either being built up or brought in makes plenty of sense. The wrestler that steps back is a rare one, but not when they’re a Rhodes and know they’ll be bigger than ever when they return.
Juventud Guerrera worked the opening match against Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega wore a Cookie Monster shirt to reference CM Punk, but neither of those statements is as awesome and surprising as top guy Hangman Page‘s story being all about a male’s emotions.
With Page’s loss last week shot, World Champ Kenny Omega is moving onto Christian Cage. That sounds accurate if not completely right.
AEW’s approach to championships has made their own titles important, The Elite the heels to beat and Miro a monster just building and building. Outsider titles like the IWGP U.S. Heavyweight and NWA World Women’s Championship give other folks stuff to do when the AEW titles are being protected too.
The one exception is Britt Baker‘s AEW Women’s World Title, losing momentum weekly even as they’re headed to Britts-burgh. It originally felt as important as the rest, but without a developed division and in the hands of a promo-focused champion it’s losing the glory.
Still lost on Andrade el Idolo and the Death Triangle. Andrade wears suits and is affiliated with the Guerrero Family and has made an offer to the Lucha Bros, but everyone – Penta, Fenix, the AEW booking committee – seems to be waiting for PAC to do something. Is this right?
The Wrestling
Only the main event really “stood out” but everything hit in some way, a consistent show of TV wrestling.
- 1. 5 Labors of Jericho – Jericho Must Win with Top Rope Move: Chris Jericho vs. Juventud Guerrera – It isn’t 1997 anymore but for a match between WCW cruiserweight legends who have had a colonoscopy, this was fun. Like the Nick Gage match last week, just the idea of Juvy wrestling in a big spot is enough for me – the wrestling freak. For anybody else, I don’t know – they did a hurricanrana to Walls of Jericho counter.
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Jon Moxley, Eddie Kingston & Darby Allin w/ Sting vs. 2.0 & Daniel Garcia – What is a squash match called when it gives just as much shine to the guys getting beat? With limited time and in zero position to win, the former Ever-Rise and Daniel Garcia had an ideal Dynamite debut where 2.0 showed charm and Garcia ability. Whether this is built on or not, we’ll always have Matt Lee asking Sting if he’s the real Sting before getting wrecked with a Darby psycho dive.
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Christian Cage vs. The Blade w/ The Bunny – Rock solid work, brother, a pair of guys I respect if not necessarily want to see work together often.
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TNT Title: Miro [c] vs. Lee Johnson w/ Dustin Rhodes – Miro has been good for a long time but being in such a prominent and protected position is making him better. He’s methodical enough to be credible, destructive enough to be entertaining, and if taking offense will go big for his opponent. Shotty Lee is still kind of a blank slate of potential, but plugged into the Miro match it worked.
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NWA Women’s World Championship Eliminator: The Bunny w/ The Blade and HFO vs. Legit Leyla Hirsch w/ Best Friends – The quick #5 match slot isn’t very kind in the way of having a match that matters. Leyla’s missed moonsault and cross armbreaker setup were impressive, otherwise this was just here for some action before the Giant Kamilla staredown after.
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Cody Rhodes vs. Malakai Black – On the other hand, this went a few minutes shorter and the direction was clear to make everything matter. Black entered with badass gear and killed the company prince in a pitch perfect introduction and debut match. You can make things happen with wrestling matches, it’s wild.
The Entertainment
Cody Rhodes post-match loser/retirement promo was fine but so dramatic. “Time flies… I’ve had so much fun…” the man is in his mid-30s.
MJF‘s Labors for Jericho have been majestic but glad they got back to basics with Wardlow for next week.
“YOU WANNA TAKE A SWING AT ME!?” 2.0 rules.
“Penta says… NO.” Good bit.
Legit Leyla Hirsch accompanied by The Best Friends is adorable.
Who is Dan Lambert bringing in next week??
My Favorite Things
- Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston entrance
- Christian Cage wins with another signature move (the spear!)
- Fuego del Sol is a good bit
Room for Improvement
- Separate Jade Cargill and Mark Sterling right now
- Red Velvet can’t just re-appear like an evolved Pokémon and demand a title shot
- Hikaru Shida needs a match on Dynamite man
Happy Wrestling Land Power Rankings
Next week, the landscape changes again.
